Your pelvic floor plays an important role not only in bladder, bowel, reproduction and sexual function, but also in hip function, breathing, core strategies, standing balance and more. The pelvic floor is also known to be intimately connected to the feet and the floor of the mouth. Pelvic health issues related to these many roles are commonly poorly addressed or often left untreated in both women and men.

Join Shelly Prosko, PT, C-IAYT, PYT, CPI, physical therapist and yoga therapist, for her 16 hour, Live In-Person, yoga therapy course focusing on pelvic floor health that offers a combination of inspiring, empowering, educational and valuable theory and practice. This course explores the evidence surrounding the biopsychosocial factors that influence pelvic floor function and integrates this evidence with yoga practices and philosophy that can be safely and effectively used to address and maintain optimal pelvic floor health in both men and women in an accessible way.

Shelly is a highly respected leader and pioneer in the area of PhysioYoga Therapy, a combination of physical therapy and yoga therapy. Her mission is to educate, inspire and empower people to create health by authentically sharing her skills, knowledge and expertise as she travels extensively offering specialty courses, presenting at international medical and yoga therapy conferences, lecturing at university programs, instructing at yoga therapy schools and yoga teacher trainings and offering individual sessions to those suffering from a variety of health conditions. Please visit physioyoga.ca for more details about Shelly and her offerings.

This course is an IAYT Approved Professional Development (APD) Course:

C-IAYT Yoga Therapists are awarded 16 CEU’s upon completion of the course.

Objectives for this course:

Theory

Briefly provide an overview of anatomy and biomechanics of the pelvic diaphragm and bony landmarks of the pelvis as relevant to yoga therapy

Learn the roles the pelvic diaphragm plays in overall health and wellness and why gaining skills in addressing pelvic floor health can be important and valuable for any yoga therapist, healthcare provider or movement practitioner working with clients

Learn the biopsychosocial factors that can contribute to performance and function of the pelvic floor, using the pancha maya kosha model

Review the first 2 chakras (using a framework based on one modern translation of chakras) and discuss the role they may play in pelvic health

Outline numerous yoga practices that may help serve as an adjunct to empowering people with pelvic floor health issues to progress towards improved pelvic health and wellness, staying within a yoga therapist’s scope of practice

Discuss the debate surrounding the performance of kegel exercises for pelvic floor health and rehabilitation using a best evidence approach

Discuss Mula Bandha (MB) including the potential intention of MB from a historical perspective, and explore the potential differences and similarities to pelvic floor engagement

Outline factors that may contribute to a Non-Relaxing Pelvic Floor and health issues that may arise from over-recruitment of pelvic floor musculature

Learn how the respiratory diaphragm and pelvic diaphragm work together as a coordinated team to contribute to pelvic floor health and wellness

Briefly review the vocal diaphragm anatomy and physiology and how it works together with the respiratory and pelvic diaphragms

Outline different paths of yoga, including the 8 limbed path of Raja yoga, and how the components of the paths and limbs can contribute to a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to pelvic floor health and rehabilitation

Understand scope of practice as it relates to the yoga therapist when addressing pelvic floor health for those practitioners who do not perform internal pelvic floor exams or treatment and when to refer to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor health

Gain a general understanding of how yoga methods and philosophy might be used as an adjunct to support optimal pelvic floor health for people who may be suffering from a variety of PF dysfunctions, including disorders associated with pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and bowel or bladder dysfunctions. Four Case Studies are presented in this course.

Practical Session

Learn and experience breathing methods and meditation techniques as they relate to pelvic floor health, with a focus on awareness and relaxation of pelvic floor muscles

Learn and participate in activities that include components of the core strategy system that have been shown to influence pelvic floor muscle engagement and function, including hip and lumbo-pelvic strategies, through the use of a functional integrative approach which includes mindful movement, yoga postures and breathing practices

Learn and experience how the voice, respiratory and pelvic diaphragms work together through breath, movement and vocalization

Participate in activities to enhance foot awareness and potential connection to the pelvic floor

Discover and experience how yoga philosophy, including the yamas and niyamas, can be used to inform the therapeutic interaction in pelvic floor yoga therapy

This course is an IAYT Approved Professional Development (APD) Course, awarding C-IAYT Yoga Therapists with 16 hours of CEU’s.

**This workshop is not intended to assess or treat or act as medical advice for your individual health concerns. Please ensure you feel safe to practice in a group class without individual assessment or attention. Please seek guidance and treatment from your health professional in your area for any unmanaged conditions.**